In-mold lid closing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An in-mold lid closing apparatus includes a lid engagement member, a first actuation assembly connected to a first portion of the lid engagement member, a second actuation assembly connected to a second opposing portion of the lid engagement member, and a controller disposed in electrical communication with the first actuation assembly and the second actuation assembly. The controller is configured to transmit a first drive signal to the first actuation assembly and a second drive signal to the second actuation assembly to drive one of a linear position and a rotational position of the lid engagement member and to adjust at least one of the first drive signal and the second drive signal based upon a first feedback signal received from the first actuation assembly and a second feedback signal received from the second actuation assembly.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No.16/007,714, filed on Sep. 7, 2021, entitled, “IN-MOLD LID CLOSINGAPPARATUS,” the contents and teachings of which are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

Embodiments of the innovation relate, generally, to an apparatus usedwith an injection mold and configured to close a lid on a molded partfollowing molding of the part by the injection mold.

Description of the Background

Manufacturers utilize injection molds to produce a variety of moldedarticles. For example, certain injection molds are used to form moldedcaps having a base portion, a lid portion, and a hinge connecting thebase and lid portions. Following molding of the caps, certain injectionmolds are configured to close the lid portion onto the base portionbefore the molded cap is processed further. By closing the hinged lidportion onto the base portion following the molding process, theinjection mold can aid in maintaining the sterility of the interior ofthe molded caps and can mitigate a need for additional processing toclose the lid portion onto the base portion following ejection of themolded caps from the injection mold.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of one-half of an injection mold 2 havinga lid closing mechanism 4 configured to dispose molded caps in a closedposition prior to ejection. For example, the lid closing mechanism 4 caninclude lid engagement members 5 disposed in proximity to correspondingmold cavities 6 utilized to form molded caps. The lid closing mechanism4 also includes a linear actuator 7 configured to adjust the verticalpositioning of the lid engagement members 5 relative to the molded capsand a rotational actuator 8 configured to rotate the lid engagementmembers 5 to close the respective lid portions onto the base portions ofthe molded caps.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment of the present innovation, an in-mold lid closingapparatus includes a lid engagement member, a first actuation assemblyconnected to a first portion of the lid engagement member and a secondactuation assembly connected to a second opposing portion of the lidengagement member, the first actuation assembly and the second actuationassembly configured to dispose the lid engagement member between a firstlinear position and a second linear position relative to an in-mold lidand between a first rotational position and a second rotational positionrelative to the in-mold lid, and a controller disposed in electricalcommunication with the first actuation assembly and the second actuationassembly. The controller may be configured to transmit a first drivesignal to the first actuation assembly and a second drive signal to thesecond actuation assembly to drive one of the linear position and therotational position of the lid engagement member. The controller may beconfigured to adjust at least one of the first drive signal and thesecond drive signal based upon a first feedback signal received from thefirst actuation assembly identifying a position of the first portion ofthe lid engagement member and a second feedback signal received from thesecond actuation assembly identifying a position of the second portionof the lid engagement member.

In an embodiment of the present innovation, an injection molding systemincludes a first mold plate defining a first mold cavity, a second moldplate opposing the first mold plate and defining a second mold cavity,and an in-mold lid closing apparatus coupled to the second mold plate.The in-mold lid closing apparatus may include a lid engagement member, afirst actuation assembly connected to a first portion of the lidengagement member and a second actuation assembly connected to a secondopposing portion of the lid engagement member, the first actuationassembly and the second actuation assembly configured to dispose the lidengagement member between a first linear position and a second linearposition relative to an in-mold lid and between a first rotationalposition and a second rotational position relative to the in-mold lid,and a controller disposed in electrical communication with the firstactuation assembly and the second actuation assembly. The controller maybe configured to transmit a first drive signal to the first actuationassembly and a second drive signal to the second actuation assembly todrive one of the linear position and the rotational position of the lidengagement member. The controller may be configured to adjust at leastone of the first drive signal and the second drive signal based upon afirst feedback signal received from the first actuation assemblyidentifying a position of the first portion of the lid engagement memberand a second feedback signal received from the second actuation assemblyidentifying a position of the second portion of the lid engagementmember.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages will be apparent fromthe following description of particular embodiments of the innovation,as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like referencecharacters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Thedrawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placedupon illustrating the principles of various embodiments of theinnovation.

FIG. 1 illustrates one-half of a prior art injection mold having a lidclosing mechanism.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side-sectional, schematic view of an injectionmolding system having an in-mold lid closing apparatus.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the in-mold lid closingapparatus of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 illustrates a first side perspective view of an actuationassembly of the in-mold lid closing apparatus of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 illustrates a second side perspective view of the actuationassembly of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the actuation assembly of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process performed by the in-mold lid closingapparatus of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the in-mold lid closing apparatus ofFIG. 2 having a first actuation assembly and a second actuation assemblydisposed in a first linear and a first rotational position relative to aset of in-mold lids.

FIG. 9 illustrates the in-mold lid closing apparatus of FIG. 4 havingthe first actuation assembly and the second actuation assembly disposedin a second linear and the first rotational position relative to the setof in-mold lids.

FIG. 10 illustrates the in-mold lid closing apparatus of FIG. 4 havingthe first actuation assembly and the second actuation assembly disposedin the second linear and a second rotational position relative to theset of in-mold lids.

FIG. 11 illustrates the in-mold lid closing apparatus of FIG. 4 havingthe first actuation assembly and the second actuation assembly disposedin the second linear and the first rotational position relative to theset of in-mold lids.

FIG. 12 illustrates the in-mold lid closing apparatus of FIG. 4 havingthe first actuation assembly and the second actuation assembly disposedin the first linear and the first rotational position relative to theset of in-mold lids.

FIG. 13 illustrates a side-sectional, schematic view of an injectionmolding system having an in-mold lid closing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With conventional injection molds, such as shown in FIG. 1 , the lidclosing mechanism 4 includes a linear actuator 7 and a rotationalactuator 2 configured to position lid engagement members 5 relative to amolded cap to dispose the molded cap in a closed state. However, inorder to provide such motion to the lid engagement members 5, theseinjection molds 2 have the linear and rotational actuators 7, 8 disposedin a stacked arrangement (i.e., the rotational actuator 8 mounted on topof the linear actuator 7). While this arrangement produces the desiredmotion of the lid engagement members 5, stacking of the linear androtational actuators 7, 8 adds to the overall height of the injectionmold 2, thereby requiring a relatively large physical space foroperation of the injection mold 2. Further, the use of multiple,separate actuation assemblies to position the lid engagement members canadd to the cost of the injection mold, as well as to the complexity ofinjection mold which can, in turn, lead to an increase in the amount ofmaintenance for the injection mold.

By contrast to conventional lid closing mechanisms for injection molds,embodiments of the present innovation relate to an in-mold lid closingapparatus which utilizes parallel linear and rotary actuation assembliesto position and rotate a lid engagement member or shaft relative to aset of in-mold molded caps. For example, the lid closing apparatus mayinclude a first actuation assembly disposed at a first location relativeto a set of in-mold molded caps and a second actuation assembly disposedat a second location relative to the set of in-mold molded caps. The lidclosing apparatus may include a lid engagement member disposed between,and connected to, each of the first and second actuation assembly suchthat a longitudinal axis of the lid engagement member is substantiallyparallel to the axes of rotation of the cap lids of the set of in-moldmolded caps. The first and second actuation assemblies may include firstand second position sensors disposed in electrical communication with acontroller. The controller may utilize first and second feedback signalsreceived from the first and second position sensors as part of afeedback loop as a basis to adjust first and second drive signalsprovided to the actuation assemblies, respectively. The controller maytherefore be configured to control the linear and/or rotationalpositioning of the lid engagement member for a number of in-mold moldedcaps while minimizing binding of the actuation assemblies, such ascaused by uneven translation or rotation of the lid engagement memberduring use.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of an injection moldingsystem 10, according to an embodiment of the present innovation. Theinjection molding system 10 may include a mold assembly 12 having afirst mold plate 14 including a first set of cap mold elements 16 and asecond mold plate 18 including a corresponding second set of cap moldelements 20. Taken together, the first and second set of cap moldelements 16, 20 define a volume of a cap having a lid, a base, and ahinge which attaches the lid to the base.

The injection molding system 10 may be configured to adjust the relativelateral positioning of the first and second mold plates 12, 18 and thecorresponding first and second cap mold elements 16, 20. For example,during operation, the injection molding system 10 may position the firstand second mold plates 12, 18 along axis 22 to a closed position toallow the injection of a material into the volume between the first andsecond sets of mold elements 16, 20 to create a molded cap. Followingformation of the molded caps, the injection molding system 10 mayposition the first and second mold plates 12, 18 along axis 22 to anopen position, as shown, to allow ejection of the caps from the secondmold plate 18.

The injection molding system 10 may also include an in-mold lid closingapparatus 24 coupled to the second mold plate 18. For example, thein-mold lid closing apparatus 24 may be configured to close the lid ofeach molded cap against the cap's base prior to ejection of the cap fromthe second mold plate 18. In one embodiment, following the moldingprocedure, the injection molding system 10 may position the first andsecond mold plates 12, 18 along axis 22 from a closed position to anopened position as shown. Further, actuation assemblies 26 of thein-mold lid closing apparatus 24 may linearly and rotationally positiona lid engagement member 50 relative to the lids of a set of molded capsto close the lids against the corresponding bases. Following closing ofthe lids, the injection molding system 10 may eject the molded caps fromthe second mold plate 18 and can restart the molding process.

FIG. 3 illustrates an in-mold lid closing apparatus 24, according to anembodiment of the present innovation. As shown, the in-mold lid closingapparatus 24 may include a first actuation assembly 40 coupled to thesecond mold plate 18 at a first location and second actuation assembly42 coupled to the second mold plate 18 at a second opposing location.For example, each actuation assembly 40, 42 may be disposed on eitherside of a row 46 of in-mold caps 48 molded by the injection moldingsystem 10.

The in-mold lid closing apparatus 24 may include a lid engagement member50 disposed between the first and second actuation assemblies 40, 42.For example, the first actuation assembly 40 may be connected to a firstportion or end 41 of the lid engagement member 50 and the secondactuation assembly 42 may be connected to a second opposing portion orend 43 of the lid engagement member 50. The lid engagement member 50 maybe configured in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the lidengagement member 50 may be configured as a shaft extending along adirection substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of in-mold lids52 of the in-mold caps 48. With such a configuration, and duringoperation, the first actuation assembly 40 and the second actuation 42assembly may dispose the lid engagement member 50 between a first linearposition and a second linear position relative to the in-mold lids 52and between a first rotational position and a second rotational positionrelative to the in-mold lids 52.

According to an embodiment of the present innovation, to linearlyposition the lid engagement member 50 between a first and a secondlinear position relative to the in-mold lids 52, the first and secondactuation assemblies 40, 42 may each include corresponding first andsecond linear actuators 60, 62. For example, the first linear actuator60 may include a first base 64 and a first translation element 66moveably coupled to the first base 64 and the second linear actuator 62may include a second base 68 and a second translation element 70moveably coupled to the second base 68.

During operation, the first and second translation elements 66, 70 maybe configured to translate along corresponding and substantiallyparallel first and second linear axes 72, 73 relative to the respectivebases 64, 68. For example, with reference to an embodiment of the firstactuation assembly 60 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first base 62may define first and second parallel slots 74, 76 and the firsttranslation element 66 may include protrusions 78, 80 disposed withinthe slots 74, 76. Interaction between the protrusions 78, 80 and thecorresponding slots 74, 76 can constrain motion of the first translationelement 66 to along the linear axis 72, as indicated.

The first and second linear actuators 60, 62 can be configured in avariety of ways. In one embodiment, the first and second linearactuators 60, 62 may take the form of, or include, a correspondingpneumatic device. For example, with reference to FIG. 6 and taking thefirst linear actuator 60 as an example, the first base 64 may beconfigured as pneumatic cylinder and may include a port 82 disposed influid communication with a fluid reservoir 84. During operation, anexchange of fluid between the first base 64 and the fluid reservoir 84via the port 82 may adjust the position of the linear actuator 60relative to the first base 64. First and second linear actuators 60, 62may take other forms as well, such as electronic actuators.

Returning to FIG. 3 , according to an embodiment of the presentinnovation, to rotationally position the lid engagement member 50between a first and second rotational position relative to the in-moldlids 52, the first and second actuation assemblies 40, 42 may eachinclude corresponding first and second rotary actuators 90, 92. Forexample, the first rotary actuator 90 may include a first support 94coupled to the first translation element 66 and a first rotary element96 coupled to a first end 41 of the lid engagement member 50. Further,the second rotary actuator 92 may include a second support 98 coupled tothe second translation element 70 and a second rotary element 100coupled to a second end 43 of the lid engagement member 50. The firstand second rotary elements 96, 100 may dispose the lid engagement member50 at an offset distance from an axis of rotation 102 that mayfacilitate rotation of the lid engagement member 50 in a Y-Z planedefined by a y-axis 61 and a z-axis 63.

The first and second rotary elements 96, 100 may be configured to rotateabout the axis of rotation 102 relative to the first and second supports94, 98 in operation. For example, with reference to an embodiment of thefirst actuation assembly 60 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the firstrotary element 96 may be coupled to an axle which extends through anopening defined by the first support 94. Further, a first drivemechanism 104 may be coupled to the first support 94 and disposed inoperational communication with the axle. In use, the first drivemechanism 104 may be configured to rotate the axle and correspondingfirst rotary element 96 in either a clockwise or counter clockwisedirection about the axis of rotation 102. When the first drive mechanism104 is utilized in conjunction with a second drive mechanism of thesecond actuation assembly 42, rotation of the first and second rotaryelements 96, 100 may position the lid engagement member 50 between afirst and second rotational position relative to the in-mold lids 52.

The first and second rotary actuators 90, 92 can be configured in avariety of ways. In an embodiment, the first and second rotary actuators90, 92 may take the form of, or include, a corresponding pneumaticdevice. For example, with reference to FIG. 4 and taking the firstrotary actuator 90 as an example, the first drive mechanism 104 may beconfigured as a pneumatic device and may include first and second ports106, 108 disposed in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir 110.During operation, an exchange of fluid between the first drive mechanism104 and the fluid reservoir 110 via the ports 106, 108 may adjust therotational position of the first rotary element 96 relative to the firstsupport 94. First and second rotary actuators 90, 92 may take otherforms as well, such as electronic actuators, for example.

The first and second translation elements 66, 70 may be configured totranslate along corresponding, and substantially parallel, first andsecond linear axes 72, 73. The first and second translation elements 66,70 may translate at unequal rates, which can impart rotation or twistingof the lid engagement member 50 within an X-Z plane defined by thex-axis 65 and the z-axis 63. Further, the first and second rotaryelements 96, 100 may be configured to rotate about the axis of rotation102 relative to the first and second supports 94, 98. The first andsecond rotary elements 96, 100 may rotate at unequal rates, which canlead to rotation or twisting of the lid engagement member 50 within theY-Z plane defined by the y-axis 61 and the z-axis 63. In either case,twisting of the lid engagement member 50 during operation may result inbinding of the first and second linear actuators 60, 62 or the first andsecond rotary actuators 90, 92 during operation.

Accordingly, in an embodiment as provided in FIG. 3 , in order tomitigate twisting or rotation of the lid engagement member 50 duringeither linear translation or rotational positioning, the in-mold lidclosing apparatus 24 may include a computerized device 115 disposed inelectrical communication with the first and second actuation assemblies40, 42. For example, the computerized device 115 may include acontroller 116, such as a memory and processor, and may take the form ofa general purpose computer, such as a laptop or desktop computer, or ofa mobile computerized device, such as a tablet device or smartphone. Thecomputerized device 115 may be disposed in electrical communication withthe first and second actuation assemblies 40, 42 via a wired connectionor a wireless communication mechanism.

In an embodiment, the computerized device 115 may be configured toexchange electrical communication with each of the first and secondactuation assemblies 40, 42 as part of a feedback loop to control thelinear or rotational position of the lid engagement member 50. Forexample, the computerized device 115 may be configured to transmit firstand second drive signals 124, 126, to the first and second actuationassemblies 40, 42, respectively, to drive either the linear position orthe rotational position of the lid engagement member 50. Example drivesignals 124, 126 may take the form of digital or analog signals. Thecomputerized device 115 may also be configured to receive first andsecond feedback signals 128 or 160 and 130 or 162 from the first andsecond actuation assemblies 40, 42 where signals 128, 130 identify thelinear positions of the first and second ends 41, 43 of the lidengagement member 50 and signals 160, 162 identify the or rotationalpositions of the first and second ends 41, 43 of the lid engagementmember 50. Example feedback signals may take the form of digital oranalog signals.

Based upon a comparison of the first and second feedback signals 128 or160 and 130 or 162, prior to transmitting subsequent first and seconddrive signals 124, 126 to the actuation assemblies 40, 42, thecomputerized device 115 may adjust one of the first drive signal 124 andthe second drive signal 126. Such adjustment may dispose the first andsecond ends 41, 43 of the lid engagement member 50 at substantiallyequal spatial position relative to each other. Implementation of suchcommunication between the computerized device 115 and the first andsecond actuation assemblies 40, 42 as part of a feedback loop canmitigate side-to-side rotation of the lid engagement member 50 relativeto the X-Z plane and subsequent binding of the actuation assemblies 40,42 during operation.

In order to exchange electrical communication with the computerizeddevice 115, the first and second linear actuators 60, 62 of the firstand second actuation assemblies 40, 42 may be configured in a variety ofways.

In an embodiment, first and second linear actuators 60, 62 may eachinclude corresponding first and second position sensors configured toexchange signals with the computerized device 115 to control theposition of the lid engagement member 50 during operation. For example,first and second linear actuator sensors 120, 122, such as Hall-effectsensors, optical sensors, or encoders, may be disposed in electricalcommunication with the computerized device 115. During operation, thecomputerized device 115 can generate and transmit, as the first andsecond drive signals, first and second linear drive signals 124, 126 tofirst and second linear actuator sensors 120, 122 to drive a linearposition of the first and second translation elements 66, 70 along axes72, 73. In response to receipt of the linear drive signals 124, 126 bythe linear actuator sensors 120, 122, the first and second linearactuators 60, 62 can adjust the linear positions of the first and secondtranslation elements 66, 70, as well as the corresponding linearpositions of the first and second ends 41, 43 of the lid engagementmember 50, along axes 72, 73. For example, based upon a magnitude of thevalues associated with each of the linear drive signals 124, 126 (e.g.,voltage values, digital values, etc.), the first and second linearactuators 60, 62 may adjust the pressure associated with the fluidreservoirs 110, 111 to cause a corresponding change in position of thefirst and second translation elements 66, 70 relative to the respectivebases 64, 68.

In an embodiment, the first and second linear actuator sensors 120, 122may be configured to transmit first and second linear feedback signals128, 130, respectively, to the computerized device 115 in response tothe first and second linear drive signals 124, 126. The first and secondlinear feedback signals 128, 130 may be configured to identify avertical position of each of the first and second translation elements66, 70, as well as the corresponding linear positions of the first andsecond ends 41, 43 of the lid engagement member 50 along axes 72, 73 andrelative to the respective bases 64, 68.

For example, in response to receiving the first linear drive signal 124,the first linear actuator 60 moves the first translation element 66 adistance of 1.0 millimeter from a reference starting position. Further,where, in response to receiving the second linear drive signal 126, thesecond linear actuator 62 moves the second translation element 70 adistance of 0.8 millimeters from the same reference starting position.Based upon a detection of the linear motion of the first translationelement 60, first linear actuator sensor 120 may generate the firstlinear feedback signal 128 having a signal value magnitude, such as avalue of 1.0 V, which corresponds to the change in vertical position ofthe first translation element 60. Further, based upon a detection of thelinear motion of the second translation element 66, the second linearactuator sensor 122 may generate the second linear feedback signal 130having a signal value magnitude, such as a value of 0.8 V, whichcorresponds to the change in vertical position of the second translationelement 70. Each of these feedback signals 128, 130 may be transmittedto the computerized device 115 and may identify to the computerizeddevice 115 the vertical positions of the first and second translationelements 66, 70 relative to the respective bases 64, 68, as well as thevertical positions of the first and second portions 41, 43 of lidengagement member 50.

In an embodiment, the computerized device 115 may adjust at least one ofthe first drive signal 124 and the second drive signal 126 based uponthe vertical positions of the first and second translation elements 66,70 relative to the respective bases 64, 68, as well as the verticalpositions of the first and second portions 41, 43 of lid engagementmember 50 in response to receiving the first and second feedback signals128, 130. For example, the computerized device 115 may provide updatedfirst and second linear drive signals 124, 126 to the first and secondlinear actuators 60, 62 such that the linear position and the firstportion 41 of the lid engagement member 50 and the linear position andthe second portion 43 of the lid engagement member 50 correspond to eachother (e.g., are disposed in substantially the same vertical axisposition relative to the in-mold lids 52).

For example, the computerized device 115 receives, as the first feedbacksignal from the first linear actuator 60, a first linear feedback signal128 having a signal value magnitude of 1.0 V and receives, as the secondfeedback signal from the second linear actuator 62, a second linearfeedback signal 130 having a signal value magnitude of 0.8 V. Based upona comparison of the first and second linear feedback signals 128, 130,the computerized device 115 may include instructions or a comparator todetect the value of the second linear feedback signal 130 as being lessthan the value of the first linear feedback signal 128, therebyindicating that the vertical position of the first translation element66 and the first portion 41 of the lid engagement member 50 is closer tothe in-mold caps 48 compared to the vertical position of the secondtranslation element 70 and the second portion 43 of the lid engagementmember 50.

With such detection, the computerized device 115 can provide updatedfirst and second linear drive signals 124, 126 to the first and secondlinear actuators 60, 62 to advance the first and second translationelements 66, 70 relative to the respective bases 64, 68 while balancingthe vertical positions of the first and second translation elements 66,70. For example, the computerized device 115 may transmit an updatedfirst drive signal 124 to the first linear actuator 60 to move the firsttranslation element 66 a distance of 1.0 millimeters from its currentposition and may transmit an updated second drive signal 126 to thesecond linear actuator 62 to move the second translation element 70 adistance of 1.2 millimeters form its current position. By causing theadvancement of the second translation element 70 further than that ofthe first translation element 66, the computerized device 115 maybalance the vertical positioning of the first and second portions 41, 43of the lid engagement member 50 relative to the in-mold caps to mitigatetwisting or rotation of the lid engagement member 50 relative to the X-Zplane and potential binding or jamming of the first and second linearactuators 60, 62 caused by such twisting.

Following receipt of the updated first and second linear drive signals126, 124, the feedback process may then be repeated by the first andsecond actuation assemblies 40, 42 and the computerized device 115. Thisprocess allows for continuous monitoring and adjustment of the first andsecond translation elements 66, 70 and the lid engagement member duringtranslation both toward and away from the in-mold caps 48.

In order to exchange electrical communication with the computerizeddevice 115, the first and second rotary actuators 90, 92 of the firstand second actuation assemblies 40, 42 may be configured in a variety ofways.

In an embodiment, first and second rotary actuators 90, 92 may eachinclude, as first and second position sensors, corresponding first andsecond rotational drive sensors 150, 152 disposed in electricalcommunication with the computerized device 115. While the first andsecond rotational drive sensors 150, 152 may be configured in a varietyof ways, the rotational drive sensors 150, 152 can be Hall-effectsensors, optical sensors, or encoders. During operation, thecomputerized device 115 can generate and transmit first and second drivesignals 124, 126 to first and second rotational drive sensors 150, 152to drive a rotational position of the first and second rotary elements96, 98 about axis 102. In response to receipt of the drive signals 124,126 by the corresponding rotational drive sensors 150, 152, the firstand second rotary actuators 90, 92 may adjust the rotational positionsof the first and second rotary elements 96, 98, as well as thecorresponding rotational positions of the first and second ends 41, 43of the lid engagement member 50 about axis 102, such as based upon amagnitude of the values associated with each of the drive signals 124,126 (e.g., voltage values, digital values, etc.).

In one embodiment, first and second rotary actuators 90, 92 may eachinclude corresponding first and second rotary actuator sensors 154, 156which may be configured to identify the rotational positions of thefirst and second rotary elements 96, 98 and to transmit first and secondrotary feedback signals 160, 162, respectively, to the computerizeddevice 115.

For example, in response to receiving the first drive signal 124, thefirst rotary actuator 90 rotates the first rotary element 96 through a1.0 degree angle from a reference starting position. Further, where, inresponse to receiving the second drive signal 126, the second rotaryactuator 92 rotates the second rotary element 98 through a 1.2 degreeangle from the same reference starting position. Based upon a detectionof the rotary motion of the first rotary actuator 90, first rotaryactuator sensor 154 may generate the first rotary feedback signal 160having a signal value magnitude, such as a value of 1.0 V, whichcorresponds to the change in rotational position of the first rotaryelement 96. Further, based upon a detection of the rotary motion of thesecond rotary element 98, the second rotary actuator sensor 156 maygenerate the second rotary feedback signal 162 having a signal valuemagnitude, such as a value of 1.2 V, which corresponds to the change inrotational position of the second rotary element 98. Each of thesefeedback signals 160, 162 may be transmitted to the computerized device115 and may identify to the computerized device 115 the rotational orangular positions of the first and second rotary elements 96, 98, aswell as the rotational or angular positions of the first and secondportions 41, 43 of lid engagement member 50 within the Y-Z plane.

In an embodiment, the computerized device 115 may adjust at least one ofthe first drive signal 124 and the second drive signal 126 based uponthe rotational positions of the first and second rotary elements 96, 98,as well as the rotational positions of the first and second portions 41,43 of lid engagement member 50, in response to receiving the first andsecond rotary feedback signals 160, 162. For example, the computerizeddevice 115 may provide updated first and second drive signals 124, 126to the first and second rotary actuators 90, 92 such that the rotationalposition and the first portion 41 of the lid engagement member 50 andthe rotational position of the second portion 43 of the lid engagementmember 50 correspond to each other (e.g., are disposed in substantiallythe same rotational position relative to the in-mold lids 52).

For example, where the computerized device 115 may receive, as the firstfeedback signal from the first rotary actuator 90, a first rotaryfeedback signal 160 having a signal value magnitude of 1.0 V andreceive, as the second feedback signal from the second rotary actuator92, a second rotary feedback signal 162 having a signal value magnitudeof 1.2 V. Based upon a comparison of the first and second rotaryfeedback signals 160, 162 in a similar manner as described before, thecomputerized device 115 can detect the value of the second rotaryfeedback signal 162 as being greater than the value of the first rotaryfeedback signal 160, thereby indicating that the rotational position ofthe first portion 41 of the lid engagement member 50 is behind therotational position of the second portion 43 of the lid engagementmember 50 relative to a starting position.

With such detection, the computerized device 115 can provide updatedfirst and second drive signals 124, 126 to the first and secondrotational drive sensors 150, 152 to advance the rotational position ofthe first and second rotary elements 96, 98 while balancing therotational positions of the first and second end portions 41, 43 of thelid engagement member 50. For example, the computerized device 115 maytransmit an updated first drive signal 124 to the first rotary actuator90 to rotate the first rotary element 96 through a 1.0 degree angle fromits present position and may transmit an updated second drive signal 126to the second rotary actuator 92 to rotate the second rotary element 98through a 0.8 degree angle from its present position. By causing theadvancement of the second rotary element 98 to a smaller degree thanthat of the first rotary element 96, the computerized device 115 maybalance the rotational positioning of the first and second portions 41,43 of the lid engagement member 50 to mitigate twisting or rotation ofthe lid engagement member 50 within the Y-Z plane and potential bindingor jamming of the first and second rotary actuators 90, 92 caused bysuch twisting.

Following receipt of the updated first and second drive signals 126,124, the feedback process may then be repeated by the first and secondactuation assemblies 40, 42 and the computerized device 115. Thisprocess allows for continuous monitoring and adjustment of the first andsecond rotary elements 96, 98 and the lid engagement member 50 duringrotation both toward and away from the bases 55 of the in-mold lids 52.

The linear actuators 60, 62 and rotary actuators 90, 92 may beconfigured to operate in a sequential manner to laterally androtationally position the lid engagement member 50 relative to a set ofin-mold lids 52. FIG. 7 is a flowchart 500, and FIGS. 8-12 illustrate anexample process, of operation of the in-mold lid closing apparatus 24,according to one embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 8 , following a molding and cooling process, thesecond mold plate 18 includes a set of in-mold caps 48 having lids 52disposed in an open position relative to the corresponding bases 55. Inan initial position, the computerized device 115 maintains the linearactuators 60, 62 and rotary actuators 90, 92 of each actuation assembly40, 42 in a retracted state relative to the lids 52 of the in-mold caps48, as shown.

To begin an in-mold lid closing process, as indicated in step 502 ofFIG. 7 , the computerized device 115 provides first and second lineardrive signals 124, 126 to each linear actuator 60, 62 via first andsecond linear actuator sensors 120, 122 to dispose the lid engagementmember 50 from a first linear position (e.g., retracted relative to thelids 52) to a second linear position (e.g., disposed in proximity to thelids 52). For example, in FIG. 8 , the computerized device 115 may causethe first translation element 66 to translate along direction 170relative to the first base 64 and the second translation element 70 totranslate along direction 170 relative to the second base 68. During thetranslation, the first and second linear actuators 60, 62 may providefirst and second linear feedback signals 128, 130, respectively, to thecomputerized device 115 to identify the linear positions of the firstand second ends 41, 43 of the lid engagement member 50. As providedabove, based upon a comparison of the first and second linear feedbacksignals 128, 130, the computerized device 115 may adjust or update thefirst and second linear drive signals 124, 126 to balance the linearpositioning of the first and second portions 41, 43 of the lidengagement member 50 to mitigate twisting or rotation of the lidengagement member 50 within the X-Z plane. The generation of the lineardrive signals 124, 126 and the linear feedback signals 128, 130 maycontinue in an iterative process until the first and second the linearactuators 60, 62 under the lids 52 of the in-mold caps 48 in the secondlinear position, as illustrated in FIG. 9 .

The computerized device 115 may, as indicated in step 504 of FIG. 7 ,provide first and second rotary drive signals 124, 126 to each rotaryactuator 90, 92 of each actuation assembly 40, 42 via first and secondrotational drive sensors 150, 152 to dispose the lid engagement member50 from a first rotational position to a second rotational position. Forexample, in FIG. 9 the computerized device 115 may cause the first andsecond rotary actuators 90, 92 to adjust the rotational positions of thefirst and second rotary elements 96, 98, as well as the correspondingrotational positions of the first and second ends 41, 43 of the lidengagement member 50, in a counterclockwise direction relative to axis102. During the rotation, the first and second rotary actuators 90, 92may provide first and second rotary feedback signals 160, 162 via firstand second rotary actuator sensors 154, 156, respectively, to thecomputerized device 115 to identify the rotational positions of thefirst and second ends 41, 43 of the lid engagement member 50. Asprovided above, based upon a comparison of the first and second rotaryfeedback signals 160, 162, the computerized device 115 may adjust orupdate the first and second drive signals 124, 126 to balance therotational positioning of the first and second portions 41, 43 of thelid engagement member 50 to mitigate twisting or rotation of the lidengagement member 50 within the Y-Z plane. The generation of therotational drive signals 124, 126 and the rotary feedback signals 160,162 may continue in an iterative process until the first and second therotary actuators 90, 92 close the lids 52 against the bases 55 of eachof the in-mold caps 48, as illustrated in FIG. 10 .

The computerized device 115 may, as indicated in step 506 of FIG. 7 ,provide first and second rotary drive signals 124, 126 to each rotaryactuator 90, 92 of each actuation assembly 40, 42 via first and secondrotational drive sensors 150, 152 to dispose the lid engagement member50 from the second rotational position to the first rotational position.For example, in FIG. 10 the computerized device 115 may cause the firstand second rotary actuators 90, 92 to adjust the rotational positions ofthe first and second rotary elements 96, 98, as well as thecorresponding rotational positions of the first and second ends 41, 43of the lid engagement member 50, in a clockwise direction relative toaxis 102. As provided above, the first and second rotary actuators 90,92 may provide first and second rotary feedback signals 160, 162,respectively, to the computerized device 115 to identify the rotationalpositions of the first and second ends 41, 43 of the lid engagementmember 50. This may to allow the computerized device 115 to adjust thefirst and second drive signals 124, 126 to balance the rotationalpositioning of the first and second portions 41, 43 of the lidengagement member 50 until the lid engagement member 50 is disposed inthe first rotational position, as shown in FIG. 11 .

At the end of the cycle, the computerized device 115 may, as indicatedin step 508 of FIG. 7 , provide first and second linear drive signals124, 126 to each linear actuator 60, 62 via first and second linearactuator sensors 120, 122 to dispose the lid engagement member 50 alongdirection 172 from the second linear position to the first linearposition illustrated in FIG. 12 . As provided above, the first andsecond linear actuators 60, 62 may provide first and second linearfeedback signals 128, 130, respectively, to the computerized device 115to identify the linear positions of the first and second ends 41, 43 ofthe lid engagement member 50. This may to allow the computerized device115 to adjust the first and second linear drive signals 124, 126 balancethe linear positioning of the first and second portions 41, 43 of thelid engagement member 50 until the lid engagement member 50 is disposedin the first linear position, thereby allowing the second mold plate 18to eject the in-mold caps 48 from the cap mold elements 20, as indicatedin FIG. 12 . The molding process may then be repeated.

With such a configuration of the in-mold lid closing apparatus 24, thefirst and second actuation assemblies 40, 42 may be disposed in arelatively low profile relative to the in-mold caps 48 to minimize theheight of a corresponding injection molding system 10, relative toconventional injection molds. Further, the configuration of the firstand second actuation assemblies 40, 42 to sequentially position the lidengagement member 50 relative to the in-mold caps 48 can mitigate theuse of separate and relatively complex linear and rotational actuatorsto position lid engagement members, such as those that may be found inconventional injection molds.

As described above, the in-mold lid closing apparatus 24 includes asingle pair of opposed actuation assemblies 40, 42 configured toposition the lid engagement member 50 relative to a single set of thein-mold caps 48. Such description was by way of example only. Thein-mold lid closing apparatus 24 may be configured in a variety of waysdepending upon the layout of the first and second sets of cap moldelements 16, 20 of the injection molding system 10.

For example, with reference to FIG. 13 , assume the case where theinjection molding system 10 is configured to mold a first row 200 ofin-mold caps 48 such that each lid 52 is hingedly connected to, andextends in a first direction 202 from, a corresponding base 55. Furtherassume that the injection molding system 10 is configured to mold asecond row 204 of in-mold caps 48 such that each lid 52 is hingedlyconnected to, and extends in a second direction 206 from, acorresponding base 55. With such a layout, the in-mold lid closingapparatus 24 may be configured to close the lids 52 of both the firstand second rows 200, 204 of in-mold caps 48 against the correspondingbases 55 in a substantially simultaneous manner, such as describedbelow.

For example, the first actuation assembly 40 may include a linearactuator 220 having a base 222, a first translation element 224 moveablycoupled to the base 222, and a second translation element 226 moveablycoupled to the base 222. The first actuation assembly 40 may include afirst rotary actuator 228 having a first support 230 coupled to thefirst translation element 224 and a rotary element 232 coupled to thefirst support 230 and to a first portion 41 of a first lid engagementmember 50-1. The first actuation assembly 40 may include a second rotaryactuator 234 having a second support 236 coupled to the secondtranslation element 226 and a rotary element 238 coupled to the secondsupport 236 and to a first portion 141 of a second lid engagement member50-2. The second actuation assembly 42 may include a linear actuator 240having a base 242, a first translation element 244 moveably coupled tothe base 242, and a second translation element 246 moveably coupled tothe base 242. The second actuation assembly 42 may include a firstrotary actuator 248 having a first support 250 coupled to the firsttranslation element 244 and a rotary element 252 coupled to the firstsupport 250 and to a second portion 43 of the first lid engagementmember 50-1. The second actuation assembly 42 may include a secondrotary actuator 254 having a second support 256 coupled to the secondtranslation element 246 and a rotary element 258 coupled to the secondsupport 256 and to a second portion 143 of the second lid engagementmember 50-2.

With such a configuration, the computerized device 115 may provide firstand second linear drive signals to the first and second actuationassemblies 40, 42 to linearly position first and second lid engagementmembers 50-1, 50-2 toward the lids 52 of the respective first and secondrows 200, 204 of in-mold caps 48. Further, the computerized device 115may receive linear feedback signals identifying the linear positioningof the first translation elements 224, 244 as well as linear feedbacksignals identifying the linear positioning of the second translationelements 226, 246. Additionally, the computerized device 115 may providefirst and second rotary drive signals to the first and second actuationassemblies 40, 42 to rotationally position first and second lidengagement members 50-1, 50-2 relative to the bases 55 of the respectivefirst and second rows 200, 204 of in-mold caps 48. Further, thecomputerized device 115 may receive rotary feedback signals identifyingthe rotational positioning of the first rotary elements 232, 248 as wellas rotary feedback signals identifying the rotary positioning of thesecond rotary elements 238, 258.

While various embodiments of the innovation have been particularly shownand described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the innovation as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An in-mold lid closing apparatus, comprising: afirst actuation assembly comprising: a linear actuator having a firstbase, a first translation element moveably coupled to the first base,and a second translation element moveably coupled to the first base, thefirst translation element of the first actuation assembly configured totranslate relative to the first base along a first linear direction andthe second translation element of the first actuation assemblyconfigured to translate relative to the first base along a second lineardirection, the second linear direction opposing the first lineardirection, a first rotary actuator coupled to the first translationelement and having a first rotary element coupled to a first portion ofa first lid engagement member, and a second rotary actuator coupled tothe second translation element and having a second rotary elementcoupled to a first portion of a second lid engagement member; and asecond actuation assembly comprising: a linear actuator having a secondbase, a first translation element moveably coupled to the second base,and a second translation element moveably coupled to the second base,the first translation element of the second actuation assemblyconfigured to translate relative to the second base along the firstlinear direction and the second translation element of the secondactuation assembly configured to translate relative to the second basealong the second linear direction, the second linear direction opposingthe first linear direction, a first rotary actuator coupled to the firsttranslation element and having a first rotary element coupled to asecond portion of the first lid engagement member, and a second rotaryactuator coupled to the second translation element and having a secondrotary element coupled to a second portion of the second lid engagementmember; the first lid engagement member extending along a directionsubstantially parallel to an axis of rotation of a lid portion of afirst in-mold lid and the second lid engagement member extending along adirection substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of a lid portionof a second in-mold lid.
 2. The in-mold lid closing apparatus of claim1, wherein: the first translation element of the first actuationassembly is configured to linearly position the first portion of thefirst lid engagement member between a first linear position and a secondlinear position relative to the first in-mold lid and the first rotaryelement of the first actuation assembly is configured to rotatablyposition the first portion of the first lid engagement member between afirst rotational position and a second rotational position relative tothe first in-mold lid; the first translation element of the secondactuation assembly is configured to linearly position the second portionof the first lid engagement member between the first linear position andthe second linear position relative to the first in-mold lid and thefirst rotary element of the second actuation assembly is configured torotatably position the second portion of the first lid engagement memberbetween the first rotational position and the second rotational positionrelative to the first in-mold lid; the second translation element of thefirst actuation assembly is configured to linearly position the firstportion of the second lid engagement member between a first linearposition and a second linear position relative to the second in-mold lidand the second rotary element of the first actuation assembly isconfigured to rotatably position the first portion of the second lidengagement member between a first rotational position and the secondrotational position relative to a second in-mold lid; and the secondtranslation element of the second actuation assembly is configured tolinearly position the second portion of the second lid engagement memberbetween the first linear position and the second linear positionrelative to the second in-mold lid and the second rotary element of thesecond actuation assembly is configured to rotatably position the secondportion of the second lid engagement member between the first rotationalposition and the second rotational position relative to the secondin-mold lid.
 3. The in-mold lid closing apparatus of claim 1, wherein:the first translation element of the first actuation assembly isconfigured to translate relative to the first base along a first linearaxis and the second translation element of the first actuation assemblyis configured to translate relative to the first base along the firstlinear axis; and the first translation element of the second actuationassembly is configured to translate relative to the second base along asecond linear axis and the second translation element of the secondactuation assembly is configured to translate relative to the secondbase along the second linear axis, the second linear axis beingsubstantially parallel to the first linear axis.
 4. The in-mold lidclosing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the first lid engagement membercomprises a shaft extending along the direction substantially parallelto the axis of rotation of the lid portion of the first in-mold lid; andthe second lid engagement member comprises a shaft extending along thedirection substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the lidportion of the second in-mold lid.
 5. An injection molding system,comprising: a first mold plate defining a first mold cavity; a secondmold plate opposing the first mold plate and defining a second moldcavity; and an in-mold lid closing apparatus coupled to the second moldplate, the in-mold lid closing apparatus comprising: a first actuationassembly comprising: a linear actuator having a first base, a firsttranslation element moveably coupled to the first base, and a secondtranslation element moveably coupled to the first base, the firsttranslation element of the first actuation assembly configured totranslate relative to the first base along a first linear direction andthe second translation element of the first actuation assemblyconfigured to translate relative to the first base along a second lineardirection, the second linear direction opposing the first lineardirection, a first rotary actuator coupled to the first translationelement and having a first rotary element coupled to a first portion ofa first lid engagement member, and a second rotary actuator coupled tothe second translation element and having a second rotary elementcoupled to a first portion of a second lid engagement member; and asecond actuation assembly comprising: a linear actuator having a secondbase, a first translation element moveably coupled to the second base,and a second translation element moveably coupled to the second base,the first translation element of the second actuation assemblyconfigured to translate relative to the second base along the firstlinear direction and the second translation element of the secondactuation assembly configured to translate relative to the second basealong the second linear direction, the second linear direction opposingthe first linear direction, a first rotary actuator coupled to the firsttranslation element and having a first rotary element coupled to asecond portion of the first lid engagement member, and a second rotaryactuator coupled to the second translation element and having a secondrotary element coupled to a second portion of the second lid engagementmember; the first lid engagement member extending along a directionsubstantially parallel to an axis of rotation of a lid portion of afirst in-mold lid and the second lid engagement member extending along adirection substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of a lid portionof a second in-mold lid.
 6. The injection molding system of claim 5,wherein: the first translation element of the first actuation assemblyis configured to linearly position the first portion of the first lidengagement member between a first linear position and a second linearposition relative to the first in-mold lid and the first rotary elementof the first actuation assembly is configured to rotatably position thefirst portion of the first lid engagement member between a firstrotational position and a second rotational position relative to thefirst in-mold lid; the first translation element of the second actuationassembly is configured to linearly position the second portion of thefirst lid engagement member between the first linear position and thesecond linear position relative to the first in-mold lid and the firstrotary element of the second actuation assembly is configured torotatably position the second portion of the first lid engagement memberbetween the first rotational position and the second rotational positionrelative to the first in-mold lid; the second translation element of thefirst actuation assembly is configured to linearly position the firstportion of the second lid engagement member between a first linearposition and a second linear position relative to the second in-mold lidand the second rotary element of the first actuation assembly isconfigured to rotatably position the first portion of the second lidengagement member between a first rotational position and the secondrotational position relative to a second in-mold lid; and the secondtranslation element of the second actuation assembly is configured tolinearly position the second portion of the second lid engagement memberbetween the first linear position and the second linear positionrelative to the second in-mold lid and the second rotary element of thesecond actuation assembly is configured to rotatably position the secondportion of the second lid engagement member between the first rotationalposition and the second rotational position relative to the secondin-mold lid.
 7. The injection molding system of claim 5, wherein: thefirst translation element of the first actuation assembly is configuredto translate relative to the first base along a first linear axis andthe second translation element of the first actuation assembly isconfigured to translate relative to the first base along the firstlinear axis; and the first translation element of the second actuationassembly is configured to translate relative to the second base along asecond linear axis and the second translation element of the secondactuation assembly is configured to translate relative to the secondbase along the second linear axis, the second linear axis beingsubstantially parallel to the first linear axis.
 8. The injectionmolding system of claim 5, wherein: the first lid engagement membercomprises a shaft extending along the direction substantially parallelto the axis of rotation of the lid portion of the first in-mold lid; andthe second lid engagement member comprises a shaft extending along thedirection substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the lidportion of the second in-mold lid.